Double amputee accused in Alaska Walmart shooting

Anchorage police officers place Daniel Pirtle into custody after a shooting at the midtown Walmart on Saturday, March 16, 2013 in Anchorage, Alaska. Pirtle, 45, has been charged with assault and misconduct involving a weapon. Anchorage Police Department spokeswoman Anita Shell says Pirtle, who is a double-amputee, is accused of shooting 33-year-old Jason Mahi. Police say Pirtle shot Mahi on Saturday in the abdomen after the manager asked him to put his service dog on a leash. Shell said an off-duty police officer who was shopping at the time detained the suspect as he was trying to leave the store in his motorized cart. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News, Bob Hallinen) MANDATORY CREDIT TO THE ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS/BOB HALLINEN

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- The roommate of an Alaska man accused of shooting a Walmart manager last weekend said the suspect liked to be accompanied by his service dog and carry guns wherever he went.

Susi Griffith told the Anchorage Daily News (http://is.gd/OxgjtA) that Daniel Pirtle showed signs of instability after having to have both of his legs removed because of diabetes several years ago.

Pirtle is accused of shooting assistant manager Jason Mahi, 33, in the abdomen at an Anchorage Walmart store on Saturday.

According to police, the 45-year-old Pirtle got into an argument with Mahi after the store manager told him he would have to leave the store because his dog was not on leash.

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Pirtle was being escorted out of the store when he pulled out a gun and shot Mahi, police said. He then attempted to leave the store in his motorized cart and was arrested near the front door. He was found to be carrying two pistols.

An Army sergeant who was in the store with his wife and children went to Mahi's aid. A nurse also rushed to help and applied pressure on the wound until medics arrived.

Mahi was taken to Providence Alaska Medical Center where he remained in critical condition Wednesday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Pirtle has been charged with first-degree assault and fourth-degree weapons misconduct. He was being held at the Anchorage Jail on $50,000 cash-only bail.